Press Releases

23 February 2010
New Appointment For Leeds Charity Bank Team
By chris @ 12:51 :: 140 Views :: :: Press Release

NEW APPOINTMENT FOR LEEDS CHARITY BANK TEAM


Charity Bank has recruited Paul Harrison as Senior Manager of Charity Bank in the North.

With a career spanning over 30 years in banking, Paul joined Charity Bank as a loans assessor in October 2008 and has now been appointed to head up the team at the bank’s regional office in Leeds.

Before joining Charity Bank, Paul – a keen tennis player, who lives just outside Halifax – worked at Nat West, TSB and HBOS, and was previously the Senior Lending Manager at Alliance & Leicester, with responsibility for lending to housing associations and the public sector.

Says Paul, ahead of a reception in York on Tuesday 23 February, to thank its customers and partners for their support: “I am excited about the opportunity to further expand my work with the charitable sector.

“The organisations we meet are doing inspiring work in deprived communities, often with minimum resources, and both the team and myself are committed to supporting them in their mission to tackle social issues such as homelessness, unemployment and lack of community facilities.”

Charity Bank’s first regional office was set up, thanks to the support of Yorkshire Forward, in June 2007.

Since then the team has been providing specialist financial services to charities and social enterprises in Yorkshire and Humberside.

Alongside a loans service, the team runs an investment readiness programme, comprising a series of workshops aimed at charitable sector organisations considering loan finance.

Says Helen Thomson, Assistant Director of Economic Inclusion at Yorkshire Forward: “Through its mix of loan finance, grant funding and business support, Charity Bank in the North is helping to create organisations that are able to thrive in this time of economic uncertainty.

“The team is enabling charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations to carry on their work, offering vital services to the most vulnerable people in the region, and creating jobs and income for communities.”

For more information about its loan service or deposit products, or its investment readiness programme, visit www.charitybank.org or call the team on 01732 774040.
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08 December 2009
The Times Money Guide Gives Charity Bank’s Small Steps Account the Thumbs Up
By chris @ 13:49 :: 570 Views :: :: News Items, Press Release

The Times Money Guide Gives Charity Bank’s Small Steps Account the Thumbs Up


The Times newspaper has given Charity Bank’s Small Steps account the “thumbs up” in its need-to-know financial guide of current saving products.

Charity Bank’s Small Steps Account is for young people under 16, to encourage the idea of philanthropy from an early age. Because it only lends to charitable organisations doing vital work across the UK and beyond, they can be sure that their money will be used to make a difference to the most deprived people in their local communities.

The Chief Executive of Charity Bank, Malcolm Hayday, says: “The Small Steps account gives young people their first experience of saving for the common good.  As well as learning the benefits of having a savings pot, they’ll also be learning the value of money in making a difference.”

The account pays a healthy 2 per cent and is fixed for a minimum period of six months.

Money saved with Charity Bank is used to support organisations like CHICKS who provide disadvantaged children with the life enhancing experience of a free respite break away in the countryside. Charity Bank helped CHICKS buy a permanent home in Devon, enabling them to continue to provide respite holidays to children for many years to come.

Charity Bank Small Steps Account Application Form
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07 December 2009
Charity Bank Backs The Which? ‘Britain Needs Better Banks’ Campaign
By chris @ 10:12 :: 382 Views :: :: News Items, Press Release

CHARITY BANK BACKS THE WHICH?
‘BRITAIN NEEDS BETTER BANKS’ CAMPAIGN


Charity Bank is putting its name behind the Which? campaign for better banking.

With the general election approaching, the campaign aims to lobby Government to get tough on banks and to change banking to help ordinary people.

Which? is encouraging people to take action and demand that high street banks give customers better service and stop taking big risks.

It’s being backed by Charity Bank, which has remained relatively shielded from the recent banking turmoil, thanks to its responsible lending policy and because it hasn’t exposed itself to risk in the money markets. 

Recently announcing a 25 per cent growth in its balance sheet, it’s increasingly an option for depositors looking to do something different with their money.

That’s because it is the only bank in the UK that uses depositors’ money soley to support charitable organisations.  And its policy of publishing details of every loan it makes also appeals to customers demanding greater levels of transparency from the banking sector.

Charity Bank’s chief executive, Malcolm Hayday says “The Which? research shows that people are angry with the banks for being one of the root causes of the financial crisis and that, despite over £120 billion of taxpayers’ money going into the banking system, not much has improved. This campaign is about changing banking for the benefit of the consumer.”

“Banks like us, with a social as well as financial motivation, are an antidote to the banking crisis. We offer savers personal service, security and transparency and the knowledge that their money will be used to fund charities and help communities. We put people first and encourage other banks to do the same.”

Take a look at www.bnbb.org and if you agree with the campaign, Charity Bank encourages you to add your voice.
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07 December 2009
Charity Bank Earns Double Innovation Awards
By chris @ 10:06 :: 358 Views :: :: News Items, Press Release

CHARITY BANK EARNS DOUBLE INNOVATION AWARDS


The sector’s specialist bank received two major awards for its innovation last night at the Financial Innovation Awards.

Charity Bank, which was shortlisted in three categories of the awards run by the Institute of Financial Services (ifs) and now in its 12th year, won the judges’ praise for most effective partnerships strategy for its work with regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and most innovative customer experience programme for its Different Journeys initiative.

It was also nominated for most promising new product for its Charity ISA.

Of the first award the judges said: “Charity Bank’s pioneering partnership with Yorkshire Forward, the region’s development agency, creates a new model for financing community projects and charities so that much needed services can be offered to marginalised communities.”

Of the second award the judges said: “An excellent project – bringing trust and responsibility back to banking” and “a niche bank but very important in the charity field. Customer experiences are not like run-of-the-mill banks so I found it fascinating what has been achieved.”

Picking up the award at the ceremony, hosted by Sky Sports broadcaster and journalist Georgie Thompson, Charity Bank’s chief executive Malcolm Hayday said:
 
“We are honoured to have this recognition of our work and it’s a testimony to the passion and commitment of the team.  They want to make a difference, by making a creative use of people’s savings, in order to help charities and social enterprises deliver the best service they can to our communities.”

For more information about Charity Bank’s work, visit www.charitybank.org.
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20 August 2009
Charity Bank Earns Triple Award Nomination
By chris @ 12:18 :: 957 Views :: :: Press Release

CHARITY BANK EARNS TRIPLE AWARD NOMINATION


Charity Bank has been shortlisted in three categories of the Financial Innovation Awards, run by the Institute of Financial Services (ifs) and now in its 12th year.

Charity Bank, which is the only bank in the UK that lends solely to the charitable sector, and which recently announced a 25 per cent growth in its balance sheet, has been nominated for:

  • Most effective partnerships strategy for its work with regional development agency Yorkshire Forward
  • Most innovative customer experience programme for its Different Journeys initiative
  • Most promising new product for its Charity ISA
Says Chief Executive Malcolm Hayday: “The ifs awards are a key event in the financial industry calendar and to have this recognition by our peers is a tremendous honour.   Being nominated is testimony to Charity Bank’s innovation and creativity, and to the work of the team.”

Alongside the other finalists, Charity Bank’s work will be recognised at a dinner and awards ceremony in London on 3 December, hosted by Sky Sports broadcaster and journalist Georgie Thompson and with after-dinner speaker James Cracknell OBE.

Charity Bank is also one of three shortlisted in the Banking Services category of the Charity Times Awards, now in its tenth year, that celebrates best practice in the UK charity and not-for-profit sector.  The results will be announced on 9 September . 

For more information about Charity Bank’s work, visit www.charitybank.org.
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30 July 2009
Charity Bank announces positive mid year results
By chris @ 20:18 :: 1129 Views :: :: Press Release

Charity Bank announces positive mid year results


Charity Bank’s balance sheet has grown by 25 per cent this year and is now just shy of £60 million – 10 times bigger than when it launched in 2002.

The loans book now stands at over £31m with £11.65m loan finance already agreed this year.

And with deposits at £44.1m Charity Bank continues to be an attractive option for depositors looking to do something different with their money, with nearly £6m raised through its Charity ISA since last June.

Additionally, in the wake of the banking crisis, the number of organisations depositing with Charity Bank has doubled in the last year, as they look to diversify funding to ensure all their funds are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Says Malcolm Hayday, Charity Bank’s Chief Executive: “The bank’s performance has held up during a tough six months and we’re continuing to see money come in on one side of the deposit sheet and flow out again to support the sector.

“This puts us in a good position to make the most of opportunities coming our way to grow the business and we expect to see this trend continue over the next six months.”

One of the bank’s newest borrowers is Hillside Clubhouse, established 19 years ago to provide rehabilitation and assistance to adults with mental health problems.

It has formally agreed the terms of a £250,000 loan towards the £570k costs of the purchase and fit-out of two adjoining shop front units in a new development in Islington, North London.

The units will be converted into a new clubhouse to replace the existing site, currently a rented church, which is to be vacated as the landlord wishes to redevelop.
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13 July 2009
Charity Bank in the North celebrates its second anniversary
By chris @ 15:40 :: 1170 Views :: :: Press Release, Events

Charity Bank in the North celebrates its second anniversary



Charity Bank's Deputy Chief Executive, Jim Gilbourne
 
To celebrate the second anniversary of its creation, with the support of Yorkshire Forward, the Charity Bank in the North team held a reception at its new office in Leeds at the end of June. The event was attended by some of its partners helping to deliver the Investment Readiness programme, key regional infrastructure organisations, local accountants and lawyers specialising in the Third Sector, and potential clients.


Keynote address was given by Thea Stein, Executive Director of Economic Inclusion at Yorkshire Forward


Martin Patterson of St George's Crypt
 
The reception was chaired by Charity Bank's Deputy Chief Executive, Jim Gilbourne, and the keynote address was given by Thea Stein, Executive Director of Economic Inclusion at Yorkshire Forward.  Guests also heard from two organisations with which the team has worked.  All the speakers were very positive on the contribution that Charity Bank in the North had made in Yorkshire & Humberside and look forward to the continuing success of its work.


Charity Bank in the North’s Senior Manager, Malcolm Rogers with Thea Stein, Executive Director of Economic Inclusion at Yorkshire Forward

Light refreshments were provided by Create, a social enterprise which Charity Bank has worked with in the past.
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26 June 2009
Help Young People’s Project win a National Lottery Award
By chris @ 16:22 :: 1210 Views :: :: News Items, Press Release

Help Young People’s Project win a National Lottery Award

 
Young People’s Project (YPP), a Charity Bank borrower, is competing for a National Lottery Award and a £2,000 prize.  They’re running against nine other projects in the Best Education Project category, and they need your votes.

YPP works with young people and young parents with a mission to enable them to reach their potential. The YPP had already received funding for three years from the lottery in addition to a loan from Charity Bank to provide a permanent base for their project.

Achievements over the three years include: 
  • Developing from a small team of 6 workers to a team of 35
  • Increasing the running of its services from 3 days to 6 days a week 
  • Starting a whole new team of volunteers with the training of young people to be ‘peer educators’ to run sex and relationship lessons in the community
  • Training of young people to volunteer in the community
  • Many of its young people winning national awards for their achievements
  • Running healthy eating sessions and setting up a café and catering company.
  • Running and developing parenting training sessions
  • Developing a new accreditation – leading to 21 accredited courses.
  • And lots of amazing stories of young people’s lives changing through volunteering, starting work and college.   We have seen so many changes and so many developments and we are keen to have recognition for the hard work and determination of many young people.

Because young people work and volunteer with YPP, so young people’s views are at the heart of all our activities.

To support us simply:
  • Visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards,
  • Click on the Best Education Project category.
  • Locate the healthy lifestyles from the Young Peoples Project
  • Click on the link at the bottom of the page
  • Then click on VOTE NOW!

Alternatively you can call 0844 686 8465 to register your phone vote.  Every vote counts, so we really appreciate your support.

Voting begins on 22nd June and ends on 10th July 2009. The votes will be counted and those with the most votes will be entered into the final, where public vote will decide the winner on national TV.
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19 June 2009
Charity Bank appoints director for Wales
By Hawkers @ 09:18 :: 1045 Views :: :: News Items, Press Release

Charity Bank appoints director for Wales

The Charity Bank has appointed its first ever regional director for Wales.

The bank, which was established in 2002, is being headed in Wales by Cardiff-based Ian Courtney.
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05 June 2009
Charity Bank Goes From Strength To Strength
By chris @ 11:51 :: 1201 Views :: :: Press Release

CHARITY BANK GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH


Charity Bank, which uses its depositors’ money solely to support charities and social enterprises, has announced an increase in both sides of its balance sheet.

Outlining its 2008 results at its AGM last month, Charity Bank revealed that deposits grew by almost 7% in 2008 and had topped £40 million by the beginning of May 2009.

Thanks to the success of products like the Charity ISA, it has seen its depositor base increase to almost 2000, up 39% in three years.

On the other side of the balance sheet, loans to charities and community projects grew by 39% year on year, to £27.3m in 2008, and by 40% in the year to April 2009 - a six fold increase since December 2002.

The organisation expects that the level of drawn loans, which currently stands at £29.4m, will break through £30m for the first time ever in June.

Says the Chief Executive of Charity Bank, Malcolm Hayday: “The fact we’re lending to more organisations than ever, and still have a negligible default rate, is proof of the need for a bank that serves just charities, community groups and social enterprises.

“Thanks to the support of our depositors, these organisations are able to achieve great things with relatively modest sums.”

For more information about its range of accounts, visit www.charitybank.org or call the deposits team on 01732 774040.
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